Learning you're expecting twins, triplets, or other multiples is exciting news. It can also bring a lot of questions about what to expect and how your pregnancy may differ from carrying a single baby.
At Moreland OB-GYN, our providers are here to guide you through your pregnancy journey. We provide the specialized monitoring, personalized care, and the ongoing support you need to feel informed and confident you’re in good hands.
Your health and your babies' well-being are always our top priorities at Moreland OB-GYN.
A multiple pregnancy is one in which you are carrying two or more babies at the same time, most commonly twins, but also triplets, quadruplets, or more. Twin pregnancies make up roughly 3 of every 100 births in the United States. Higher-order multiples are much rarer.
A multiple pregnancy is most often diagnosed on ultrasound. Ultrasound can also detect whether the twin or multiples are identical or fraternal.
All multiple pregnancies, regardless of the number of babies, require closer monitoring than a singleton pregnancy because of the unique ways the pregnancy can affect the mom and babies. If you are having twins or multiples, Moreland OB-GYN is here to guide and educate you on what to expect throughout your pregnancy.
Understanding whether your pregnancy involves identical or fraternal multiples helps your Moreland OB-GYN care team tailor your monitoring plan to your specific needs.
Fraternal multiples – Fraternal multiples develop when two or more eggs are fertilized separately. The embryos can be the same or different sexes, and although they share the same pregnancy environment, they are no more genetically similar to each other than typical siblings.
Identical multiples – Identical multiples are less common and occur when a single fertilized egg splits into two or more embryos. These babies share the same DNA and are always the same sex.
Because identical and fraternal pregnancies can carry different risks, this distinction helps your provider determine how closely your pregnancy should be monitored, including the frequency of ultrasounds and what potential complications to watch for.
In addition to whether your multiples are identical or fraternal, another key factor in planning your care is how your babies share the placenta and amniotic sacs. This information further helps your Moreland OB-GYN provider develop the appropriate monitoring schedule for your pregnancy.
Dichorionic/diamniotic (Di-Di) — Each baby has its own placenta and amniotic sac. This is the most common type of twin pregnancy and is generally associated with the lowest risk of complications.
Monochorionic/diamniotic (Mono-Di) — The babies share a placenta but have separate amniotic sacs. Because they share a placenta, additional monitoring is recommended to watch for conditions such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).
Monochorionic/monoamniotic (Mono-Mono) — The babies share both a placenta and an amniotic sac. This is the rarest type of twin pregnancy and requires the most frequent monitoring, often in collaboration with maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
Your Moreland OB-GYN provider will determine these factors through an OB ultrasound, typically before the 14th week of your pregnancy.
If you are expecting multiples, you’ll likely have more prenatal visits and ultrasounds than someone carrying one baby. These additional appointments allow us to monitor your health and your babies’ growth closely.
Your multiples OB care plan may include:
More Frequent Prenatal Visits — Regular prenatal appointments allow your provider to monitor your health, track your babies' growth, and identify concerns early.
Additional Ultrasounds — OB ultrasounds are performed more frequently during multiple pregnancies to monitor growth, amniotic fluid levels, placental function, and overall fetal development.
High-Risk Pregnancy Monitoring — Our providers monitor for risks and complications that occur more frequently during multiple pregnancies, including:
Preterm labor
Gestational diabetes
Preeclampsia
Fetal growth restriction
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
Cervical shortening
Learning you’re pregnant with twins or multiples often comes with a lot of questions. Our Moreland OB-GYN specialists break down the most common ones in our blog, Multiple Pregnancy: Your Most Common Questions.
Carrying multiples comes with a higher chance of certain complications. Your specialized Moreland OB-GYN care team is experienced in identifying and managing these concerns early, and we talk through each one openly so you always know what we are watching for and how:
Preterm labor and birth are the most common complications of twin pregnancy and multiple pregnancy. Most twins are born between 36 and 38 weeks, and multiple-birth babies often are born even earlier. We will routinely check your cervical length to determine whether this is a concern and, in select cases, recommend a cervical cerclage or progesterone support.
Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia are more common in multiple pregnancies. We proactively screen for these placenta-related concerns with lab work, regular blood pressure monitoring, and growth scans.
Growth discrepancies can occur as babies do not always grow at the same rate. Serial ultrasounds will track each baby's individual growth and identify any discordance early.
Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) can occur in twin pregnancies. TTTS is a condition unique to monochorionic twins in which blood flow is unequal between the babies through a shared placenta. We screen for TTS with regular ultrasounds in pregnancies where it is a possibility.
Anemia and increased fatigue are common for mothers during a multiple pregnancy. Carrying multiples increases your iron and nutritional needs. We monitor your blood counts throughout pregnancy and address any signs of anemia with supplementation, nutritional guidance, and personalized support so you feel your best while your babies grow.
When you're carrying twins or multiples, your body has increased nutritional and energy needs to support the growth and development of more than one baby. Eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, taking prenatal vitamins, and gaining an appropriate amount of weight are all important parts of a healthy multiple pregnancy.
At Moreland OB-GYN, we'll provide personalized guidance on nutrition, weight gain goals, and prenatal care throughout your pregnancy to help support both your health and your babies' growth.
A twin or multiple pregnancy asks more of your body, and a few thoughtful adjustments can make a real difference in how you feel:
Recognize you will need to increase your caloric intake: Most patients carrying twins need an additional 300–600 calories per day above singleton pregnancy needs; triplets and higher-order multiples require more.
Regularly take specific supplements and vitamins: Higher demands on your body mean prenatal vitamins are especially important. We will talk through supplementation at your appointments.
Achieve your personalized weight gain targets: With a twin or multiple pregnancy, your recommended weight gain will be greater than for a singleton pregnancy, and it varies based on your pre-pregnancy BMI.
Enjoy an appropriate balance of rest and activity: As a mother expecting multiples, it's important that you listen to your body, prioritize hydration, and follow any activity guidance provided by your specialist.
Our providers are experts in multiple-birth obstetric care and can determine the best plan to support your maternal health throughout your pregnancy. Just like your babies, each mother’s plan is unique to her and her needs.
Planning helps you feel prepared for the day your babies arrive. Because you’ll be welcoming more than one baby, your delivery team will include additional nurses and pediatric specialists to care for each baby after birth.
Vaginal births are still often possible for twins, especially when the first baby is head-down. Your provider will discuss what is safest based on each baby's position, growth, and your overall health as part of your delivery plan.
A Cesarean section, also known as a C-section, may be recommended when:
You are carrying triplets or higher-order multiples
If you have a breech presenting twin
If your babies have certain monochorionic arrangements
Your Moreland OB-GYN specialist and care team will review your delivery options with you, answer your questions, and help you develop a birth plan you feel comfortable with—well before your due date.
Every multiple pregnancy deserves personalized care and close attention. At Moreland OB-GYN, we are committed to helping women in Waukesha County navigate twin and multiple pregnancies with confidence.
Learning you’re expecting multiples can feel exciting, overwhelming, and leave you full of questions. Our experienced obstetric providers are here to guide you through every stage of your pregnancy with personalized care, advanced monitoring, and compassionate support.
Schedule an appointment with Moreland OB-GYN today to begin building a personalized care plan for your pregnancy.
Throughout your pregnancy, your provider will discuss delivery options, answer questions, and help you create a birth plan that aligns with your individual circumstances.
